Have an outdoor adventurer on your holiday shopping list?
Lucky you! We're a fun bunch to shop for.
Rather than buying her a gift card (boring) or another pair of long johns, give the explorer in your life something they really want to unwrap. From specialized equipment to outdoor apparel, the list of possibilities is basically endless. But just in case you need some inspiration, here are 10 gear gift ideas that will get her outside and exploring.
1. Merrell Winter Hiking Boots
For the trekker
Alison Karlene Hodgins
Forget ring size, do you know your girl’s boot size? Every explorer's winter hiking boot wish-list includes these features: weather-proofing, extreme grip and breathable insulation. Merrell's Thermo Mid Freeze Waterproof offer all that and more. I should know—I gear-tested them myself.
2. Wind-proof BUFF
For the skier/snowboarder
Buff
When the wind threatens to ruin your adventure, cover up with this colourful, wind-proof bandana. Made of 96 per cent polyester and four per cent PTFE, the machine-washable Ilona Multi transitions from downhill sports to uphill climbs like a breeze.
3. Atlin Mountain Coffee
For the early bird
Atlin Mountain Coffee
If you know an explorer who requires a strong cup of joe to get them outside and adventuring, this is the perfect gift: a coffee subscription. Never again will she have to open the cupboard to find an empty bag! Location in northern British Columbia, Atlin Mountain Coffee is free of chemicals, pesticides or blending. Their fresh, organic, whisky barrel aged coffees are packaged in their solar-powered roastery in the Canadian wilderness.
4. French Press Coffee Mug
For the on-the-go adventurer
Avventura Outdoors
To go along with the coffee subscription, gift her a mug that she can use in the outdoors. This to-go mug doubles as a French Press for the perfect cup while camping, on top of a mountain or anywhere in the Great Outdoors. It can also be used to steep tea!
5. Backpack Cooler
For the thirsty explorer (and avid snacker)
Titan
Rarely is a backpack high-performance and beer-friendly. Titan has created Backpack Coolers that sell for as little as $40 on Amazon.ca. With triple-layer insulation, ice won't melt for two days. Deep Freeze® technology keeps beverages and snacks at an optimal temperature, while the padded back and breathable mesh panels offer surprising comfort.
6. Cozy Cabin Sweater
For the post-adventure
Fjällräven
Who doesn’t crave a cozy wool sweater to change into after sweating in the frigid outdoors? Fjällräven's Greenland Re-Wool View Sweater isn't just beautiful, it's sustainable. Made from recycled wool, the yarn utilizes spill from the Italian textile industry. The tag shows the garment itself is made in Italy. Explorers with sensitive skin might opt to wear a base layer. The wrap-around mountain design was inspired by Greenland, but it reminds me of home.
7. Basecamp Cards
For the fun camper
Basecamp Card Co.
The innovative, BC-based creators of Basecamp have released a second deck with 54 brand-new questions on the centre of their playing cards. With all the elements necessary for a regular ol’ deck of cards, Basecamp kicks it up a notch with intriguing questions sure to spark great conversations between adventurers.
8. Adventure Challenge Club
For the explorer seeking motivation
explore has been encouraging Canadians and Americans to get outside and #livetheadventure for over 35 years. Now, we've created a private Facebook group for explorers, where we host weekly, monthly and seasonal outdoor adventure challenges!
Not only will you be more motivated to explore than ever, but you'll also have the chance to win awesome gear prizes. Recent prizes include Chawels, Garmin GPS, Gregory Backpacks and a Manduka EcoLite Yoga Mat. You can join as an individual, family or gift a subscription to someone on your gift list. (The subscription is monthly, but can be cancelled at any time.)
9. Explore magazine subscription
For the bookworm explorer
A gift that keeps giving all year long.
Find words by editor David Webb, Kevin Callan, Will Gadd, Andrew Findlay, Frank Wolf, Ryan Stuart and other intrepid Canadian explorers. In addition to adventure-packed features, readers can expect coverage to include outdoor sporting in Canada and beyond, gear reviews, bucket-list adventures, practical tips, and expert advice.
We publish explore quarterly, so you'll receive a brand-new magazine four times a year.
10. Explore's Live the Adventure Club Gear Box
For the year-round adventurer
We test hundreds of products every year for explore, so we know what products are going to be useful, and what products will probably wind up collecting dust in your garage.
In our subscription gear box, we include 4 to 6 pieces of new gear, the latest issue of explore and inspirational challenges to get you outside and using your new gear. That's $150+ in retail value for just $97 per quarter... plus the priceless value of the motivational challenges you won't find anywhere else.
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